Smíchovský Alpine Festival 2009

Some exciting news: I've been invited by the Czech Republic to give a presentation at the Smíchovský Alpine Festival in Prague later this month. Other speakers include mountaineering greats Reinhold Messner and Boris Lorenčič as well as a host of other international alpinists. The festival runs the weekend of the November 20-22, and I'll be showing at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday night. Check out the Smíchovský Festival Alpinismu website for more details.

Desert Towers!

This fall I took another road trip to the desert southwest to climb more towers. This time it was 24 towers in 20 days. Another great tower session!


Check out the trip report on the SuperTopo website: http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1002231/TR_Desert_Towers_Rule

First Peak Ascent, Jobo Rinjang (6,778 meters), Khumbu Himal, Nepal

It is with great happiness that David and I report the first ascent of Jobo Rinjang (6,778 meters) via the direct south face, in the Khumbu Region of Nepal, climbing alpine style over 6 days (from April 20 to April 25), summiting on April 22nd.  Please visit our Climb Nepal blog for a full account: www.climbnepal.blogspot.com.
The climb was considered as one of 52 grand first ascents, by the Les Piolets d'Or 2010.

Approaching the Lunag Massif, with Jobo Rinjang in the front:

David climbing up the lower slopes:

On the summit:

The American Alpine Club Spitzer Cutting Edge Award

It is with great excitement and appreciation that I would like to announce our receiving of the 2009 Spitzer Cutting Edge Award from the American Alpine Club for our climb on Jobo Rinjang. The award has been created to back American expeditions to the toughest alpine objectives in the world. From both David Gottlieb and I - our deepest gratitude goes out to the AAC. Thank you for helping us reach our climbing dreams!

2009 Kilimanjaro Climb

On February 13th, Lakpa Rita Sherpa and I successfully summitted Kilimanjaro (5,895 m), Africa's highest point. Lakpa completed his Seven Summits (climbing the highest peak on each continent) with this climb, becoming the first Sherpa to complete this great accomplishment. Lakpa is the main climbing ambassador for Sherpa Adventure Gear, and I was able to climb with Lakpa to photograph and document the trip.

Check out our Climb Africa blog for the complete trip details: www.climbafrica.blogspot.com

Press release about the climb: http://www.pitchengine.com/free-release.php?id=3895